No, you can’t use National Book Tokens on Amazon. Amazon UK does not accept them as a form of payment, either online or in physical formats. These tokens are part of a separate scheme that supports independent and high street bookshops across the UK. If you’re holding a book token and planning to use it for Amazon purchases, you’ll need to explore alternative ways to spend it — or shop at a retailer that accepts them.
What Are National Book Tokens
National Book Tokens are a widely used gift card scheme in the UK, designed specifically for purchasing books. They can be used in hundreds of independent bookshops and major retailers like Waterstones, Blackwell’s, and WHSmith. Tokens come as physical cards or e-gift cards and are often given as presents, school rewards, or promotional prizes. Their aim is to promote reading and support bricks-and-mortar bookshops.
Why Doesn’t Amazon Accept Book Tokens
Amazon operates outside the National Book Tokens network and runs its own closed payment system. While it does sell books, both physical and digital, it does not participate in the book token programme. This is largely due to commercial reasons — book tokens are intended to support independent book retailers and the wider book trade, while Amazon functions as a global e-commerce platform with its own gift card and voucher system.
As a result, book tokens can’t be applied to your Amazon account, used at checkout, or converted into Amazon gift cards through official channels.
Where Can You Use Book Tokens Online
If you're looking to spend your book tokens online, there are a number of book retailers in the UK that accept them via their websites. Waterstones and Blackwell’s both allow you to redeem book tokens online, and many independent bookshops do the same through their e-commerce platforms. Check the National Book Tokens website for a full list of participating retailers.
To use a token online, you'll usually enter the long number on the back of the card during checkout, similar to how you would use a gift card. Some sites may require you to input a PIN or security code if it's a digital token.
Can You Convert Book Tokens to Amazon Vouchers
There’s no official way to convert National Book Tokens into Amazon gift cards. They are non-refundable and non-transferable for cash or use on unrelated platforms. If you want to buy books on Amazon but only have a book token, your best option is to use the token at a participating retailer, or give it to someone who shops at stores where it can be used.
Attempting to sell or trade gift cards online is not recommended due to the risk of scams or fraud. It’s always safer to use them as intended or explore one of the many online stores that do accept them.
Can I Use Book Tokens for Kindle Books or Audible
No, book tokens can’t be used for any Amazon-owned digital content either. This includes Kindle eBooks, Kindle Unlimited subscriptions, or audiobooks through Audible. These services are all part of Amazon’s digital ecosystem and require payment through Amazon’s own gift cards or a linked debit or credit card. Even though book tokens are designed for books, they are strictly limited to participating bookshops and online booksellers that accept the scheme.
What’s the Purpose Behind National Book Tokens
National Book Tokens are not just gift cards — they’re part of a broader campaign to support the UK’s reading culture and physical bookshops. The scheme is backed by publishers, booksellers, and reading organisations. It’s meant to encourage people to explore independent stores and major high street names, rather than large online-only retailers. That’s why Amazon, despite selling books, isn’t part of the programme.
If you’ve received a book token, the intent is to nudge you towards discovering something new in a real bookshop or to support local businesses online.
Can You Use Book Tokens in Second-Hand Bookshops
Most second-hand or charity bookshops do not accept book tokens, as they typically fall outside the official network. Book tokens are mainly accepted by new book retailers who have signed up to the scheme. However, some specialist or independent stores that sell both new and used books may accept them, so it’s worth asking at the till or checking on the shop’s website. Again, this is very different from Amazon’s marketplace model, which includes third-party sellers not linked to the token system.
What If You Accidentally Try to Use a Book Token on Amazon
Trying to enter a National Book Token code on Amazon won’t work. The site doesn’t recognise the number format, and there is no field during checkout to accept non-Amazon vouchers. If you want to use a gift card on Amazon, it has to be an official Amazon-issued gift card. If you've accidentally bought or received the wrong type of voucher, it can be frustrating, but unfortunately there’s no option to transfer it or exchange it through Amazon or National Book Tokens directly.
Should You Buy a Book Token or Amazon Gift Card as a Gift
If you’re choosing between a National Book Token and an Amazon gift card, the best option depends on the recipient. If they love browsing physical bookshops, supporting local businesses, or discovering titles in-person, then a book token is more meaningful. But if they’re a frequent Amazon shopper, use a Kindle, or buy across categories beyond books, then an Amazon gift card will offer more flexibility. Both are useful — but they serve different kinds of readers and shopping habits.
Can I Use Book Tokens for Kindle Books or Audible
Although Amazon is one of the largest book retailers in the world, its digital services such as Kindle and Audible are completely separate from the National Book Tokens scheme. These services are tied to Amazon’s own payment system, which only accepts standard payment methods or Amazon gift cards. Even though you may be trying to purchase a book in digital format, book tokens cannot be used for eBooks, audiobooks, or any subscription services offered through Amazon. If you’re looking to spend a book token on digital reading material, you’ll need to explore alternative retailers that accept the token and offer downloadable books or audiobooks.
Should You Buy a Book Token or Amazon Gift Card as a Gift
Deciding between a book token and an Amazon gift card depends on who you’re buying for and how they prefer to read or shop. A book token is a thoughtful choice for someone who enjoys browsing in bookshops or wants to support independent retailers. It encourages discovery and often leads to a more personal, in-store experience. On the other hand, an Amazon gift card gives the recipient far more flexibility. They can use it to buy books, but also explore other categories like tech, homeware, or digital content. For someone who uses Kindle or shops online regularly, Amazon’s voucher might be the more practical gift — but it lacks the charm and literary intent of a traditional book token.
Summary
You can’t use book tokens on Amazon, but they are accepted at a wide range of bookshops and online retailers across the UK. These tokens are part of a scheme designed to support the traditional book trade and encourage reading. If you’re looking to spend them online, retailers like Waterstones and Blackwell’s are your best options. For Amazon-specific purchases, you’ll need to use an Amazon gift card or standard payment method instead.